2004 OPDA replacement - will the Crown version for a 2005-2006 model fit?

JayOh

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Messages
10
Location
Sydney, Australia
Hi! My 2004 TJ has the older style OPDA which appears to have a bit of a tapping noise. The mechanic is recommending replacement and suggesting it would be better to go for the Crown version from a 2005 - 2006 model, but I can't find a definitive answer on whether it will fit or even if there is a benefit to doing so.

Has anyone tried fitting the Crown in place of the older style? Is this an upgrade or downgrade?

I'm in Australia and trying to get the TJ ready for a big Jeep gathering over Easter, so time is a bit short. I've ordered the 2004 model WAI Global from Rock Auto which should be here on Monday, but my mechanic can also source the Crown version locally.

Any guidance would be fantastic, thanks!
 
Hi! My 2004 TJ has the older style OPDA which appears to have a bit of a tapping noise. The mechanic is recommending replacement and suggesting it would be better to go for the Crown version from a 2005 - 2006 model, but I can't find a definitive answer on whether it will fit or even if there is a benefit to doing so.

Has anyone tried fitting the Crown in place of the older style? Is this an upgrade or downgrade?

I'm in Australia and trying to get the TJ ready for a big Jeep gathering over Easter, so time is a bit short. I've ordered the 2004 model WAI Global from Rock Auto which should be here on Monday, but my mechanic can also source the Crown version locally.

Any guidance would be fantastic, thanks!

I've not seen that done but given that one has the Jtec controller and the other has the NGC with an entirely different firing rotation at the crank flywheel/flexplate, that's going to be a neato trick to pull off and make work. I'd have to check but my first concern would be the connector on the harness and whether that will actually plug in.
 
I've not seen that done but given that one has the Jtec controller and the other has the NGC with an entirely different firing rotation at the crank flywheel/flexplate, that's going to be a neato trick to pull off and make work. I'd have to check but my first concern would be the connector on the harness and whether that will actually plug in.

It's a bit hard to tell from the pictures on Rock Auto but there does appear to be a bit of a difference in the connectors, both are 3 pin but the earlier one seems to be in the middle where the later one has the pins slightly lower. The differences in controller and firing rotation would also suggest it's not a straight swap.
 
It won't work. The cam sensor and flywheel have different tone rings on the 05, 06 compared to the 04.
 
2004 uses a half-rotation shutter:
1744397016019.webp


2005 uses a multi-pattern pulse ring:
1744397053961.webp


Very different signals going to the PCM.